The third volume of the Book of Psalms begins with several psalms by Asaph, one of the worship leaders in the praise of God. In Psalm 73, Asaph describes a period when he was having doubts about God’s dealings in providence and how he was delivered from that outlook.
In verse 1, he states a basic biblical truth, which is that God is good to his people, those who have a new heart. Sometimes, however, they can be disturbed by what they see taking place in daily life. Asaph, a man with a pure heart, became envious of the wicked, the arrogant who paid no heed to God’s requirements. His thoughts caused him to become unsteady in a spiritual sense (vv. 1-3).
In verses 4-9, Asaph details the observations that shook his faith. The wicked he had observed had an easy life, they looked well, they didn’t experience trouble, they boasted about their sins, and they defied God with their words. Of course, it is easy to see those who do all this in public.
Their unpunished lifestyle caused some of God’s people to conclude that he did not know what the wicked were doing, because surely he would have punished them if he did (vv. 10-12). Asaph had also decided that it was pointless for him to focus on holy living; yet, even although he was in inner turmoil, he had kept silent about his complaints because he did not want to lead God’s people astray (vv. 13-15).
Thinking about such a conundrum as the prosperity of the wicked in God’s world did not bring any answers until he went to the place of worship, and that was where he found spiritual relief (vv. 16-17). There, perhaps through what he heard from a teacher or from another believer, he realised that the path the wicked were on was actually a rapid road to divine judgement that God had prepared for them. He also realised that his attitude had not been that of someone thinking correctly; indeed, he had been acting like thoughtless animals (vv. 18-22).
In the sanctuary, he realised that God was his companion, faithfully guiding him to glory, and he received the assurance that he would get a personal welcome when he reached his heavenly destination. His experience in the sanctuary led him to realise the reality and the preciousness of the presence of God, that being with the Lord was the greatest blessing he could have. It is the case that even a believer of the stature of Asaph can fail under pressure at times, but that does not mean that God will forsake him. Instead, the Lord will give restoring grace (vv. 23-26).
The reality of life boils down to two certain truths: one is that God is working to deal with those who oppose him and the other is that he protects those who approach him for help. Asaph had found that to be the case and he had discovered that from his own experience he could speak with realism about God’s ways in the world, about his sovereign and wise activities by which he opposes the wicked and defends his people (vv. 27-29).
The psalm tells us that even wise and godly leaders of God’s people will make errors of judgement if they look in the wrong place for answers about the questions that life throws their way. Merely contrasting the comfort of the wicked with the discomfort of the righteous does not explain why it happens. But taking time to attend the worship of God and to recover awareness of his providential control of life enables such to realise that God is dealing with every situation according to his wisdom and for his glory as well as for spiritual good of his people.
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